Being A Marine

Part 2: WHY I DECIDED TO JOIN

PART 2: WHY I DECIDED TO JOIN

Now, everyone has dreams. Weather it's to be a singer, an astronaut, to travel the world, or to be a doctor. But I didn't really have a dream. I had so many interests that I couldn't just choose ONE thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

And because I couldn't choose a path - Because I didn't know what to do with my life, I joined the military.

I first joined around October/December during my senior year in 2018. When I turned 18, I told my dad that I was considering joining the military. Now, at the time I was saying that, I wasnt really sure I wanted to actually do that.

I'm a very indecisive person. As you can probably tell so far.

I found it funny how a few days after I had said that, my school was hosting a college fair. For those of you who dont know what that is, it's just a bunch of people showing up and talking about colleges all over our country, handing out brochures with info about their college.

I decided to skip class with a friend and go to the college fair, and found all four of the military branches with tables set up.

I walked up to The Marines stand where I met a recruiter. A Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps. I filled out some Q&A sheet and talked to him for a while. I told him I had a brother in the Marines who had been in for a while and told him some other personal stuff about me.

That day, I set an appointment to show up to his office some time that night.

I was excited and when I told my father he was sort of shocked but agreed that I could go to this appointment.

So I went and Ssgt told me the military had a bunch of benefits. It had TA (Tuition assistance), helps pay off some of your college fees, travel for free, and good pay.

Well, sounded all good to me.

I joined because there wasn't much for me going on at the time. My life sucked, I was losing my friends, family issues, and I couldn't hold a job.

So instead of sitting around being miserable, jobless, and bored, I joined the Marines.

My plans are to go to college while serving.

I get paid pretty well, and if I save and play it smart, I could be set for a while when I finish my years.

While doing all that, I can travel and experience cultures I never have, and try foods I've never tried, and see amazing things. All for free.

I only plan to do 4 years. I dont want to be in the military long, and then after 4 years I'll come back home, search for a job and an apartment, and continue my classes.

Well, I dont actually want an apartment, I was thinking more of a house on wheels so I can travel more. I can take online college classes, and start a YouTube channel to make money, or maybe even make some money off of wattpad. WHO KNOWS.

Maybe all these plans I'm telling you won't ever happen. Maybe I'll retire in the marines, WHO KNOWS. Maybe I'll spend 38 years in the Marines-WHO KNOWS. Maybe I'll really like the Marine life and after 4 years I'll re-enlist-WHO KNOWS. Even starting a path like this in life, I'm still not sure what I want to do In life or what I want to do for the rest of my life. Maybe I won't get a house on wheels-WHO KNOWS. Maybe I won't start a YouTube channel to make extra money on the side-WHO KNOWS.

See, I'm very indecisive.

I do know for a fact that I am going to college though.

I know my future will be bright. I see myself doing great, successful things.

But anyways, I basically joined for great benefits and money. Money is life, literally.

If you guys are in a position like I was, just join the military. Why not? Great benefits :) plus, how many of you aren't doing anything good with your lives? I bet, a lot. So...you should maybe consider it!

Xoxo

-PFC Rodriguez